Title:

Results of the NamibRand Nature Reserve and Pro-Namib Conservancy annual game count 31 May 2014

Author(s):
Publication Year:
2014
Abstract:

This report provides summarised results and analysis of the annual game count held on the NamibRand Nature Reserve and the Pro-Namib Conservancy on the 31st of May 2014. This is the tenth consecutive year that the count was held since 2005 and the third year that the farms Springbokvlakte and Saffier have been included. Teamwork was once again the essence of the day as concessionaires, landowners, neighbours and NRNR staff joined in to participate in the event. The game count briefing, which included a theoretical presentation, discussions and handing out of game count files to the different teams, was held on the 30st of May at the Draaihoek picnic site camp prior to the AGM. Even though this rainfall season (June 2013 - May 2014) has been marginally better than the previous rainfall season (June 2012 - May 2013) with an average of 74mm, the result of the previous season's poor rainfall has effected a drop in wildlife numbers across the count area. This drop in wildlife numbers is probability also due to the isolated and widespread distribution of the rainfall in the past season, with much of it falling outside of the Reserve, resulting in better grazing elsewhere to which the wildlife migrated. Please note that while the game count method employed is good for estimating larger numbers of common plains game, it less suited to other species such as kudu and steenbok. No single census method is complete in itself, but needs to be supplemented and complemented on a dynamic basis by local knowledge and other sources of information, e.g. independent total counts of recently reintroduced species, incidental sightings and camera trap recording

Item Type:
Report
Language:
en
Files:
Attachment Size
NRNR game count report 2014.pdf 2.14 MB

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